Growing up in mission field gives students uncommon view of life Harding University has always placed great emphasis on the responsibility of Christians to spread the gospel throughout the world. "Missionary kids" are students who spent much of their childhood far from the security of the United States. These students have experienced frrsthand how God uses men to accomplish his work on earth. When senior Greg Kendall-Ball arrived at Harding in the fall ofl997, he left behind what had been his home for nine years - Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. Kendall-Ball said the most difficult adjustment when moving to Africa was having to learn a new language. He said it took about two years for him to become fluent in Afrikaans. Kendall-Ball has been a missions major for the past three years and is eager to use the talents God has given him on the mission freld. "The best part about being a missionary kid is getting to experience growing up in two countries and having two identities," he said. "It's like having two homes." Junior Carl Williamson was born in the United States, but his frrst memories are of Gothburg, Sweden. Williamson lived in Sweden from ages one to seven and then again from ages nine to II. n America is much more diverse and didn't feel as safe," he said. "But the economic system is better in the United States and our frnancial situation was much better. In Sweden, we were constantly experiencing frnancial struggle." Williamson said he misses living in Sweden. His favorite memories are working with people. "I learned that people are what's most important," he said. "People were the focus of our lives. Being on the mission freld has helped me to understand how people in the world think and act so I can minister to them in the best way. "It's important to know how they live so you can understand how they think. The mission field made me a compassionate person," Williamson said. "Missionaries genuinely care." - Hannah K. Rhodes " Stacy GlaSS-Fayetteville. Ark. Sara Goen-Grecn Forest. Ark. Kim GOff-Gastonia, N.C. Andy Goodman-Conway. Ark. Wendy GoOdSOn-Arlington, Texas April Goodwin-Ash Flat, Ark. Tabitha Goodwin-Appleton, Wis. Melanie Grady-woodstock. Ga. Katie Granberg-Portland, Ore. Jessica Grant-Hurst, Texas Amber Green-Kaufman, Texas Sidney Green-Houston, Texas Andrew Greene-MOntgomery, Ala. Sarah Greene-Springville, Calif. Tom GreenwaY-Kansas City, Mo. Sara Gregersen-Austin, Texas Amanda Griffin-Lacey's Spring, Ala. Gary Griffin-Waynesboro, Va. Melissa Griffin-Patoka, Ill. Norman Griffin-Reklaw, Texas Junior Carl Williamson points to his place of birth in Gothburg, Sweden. Williamson said being a ~missionsary kidn helped him become a compassionate person. Photo by Daniel Dubois. ~F~r ~es~h=r~n e~n~ ____________ ~~ People V
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